Thomas Tuchel has explained why Mason Mount is captaining Chelsea for their FA Cup quarter-final clash with Sheffield United.
The Blues have the chance to book a place in the last four of the prestigious competition if they can beat a Blades side who have struggled all season long.
Fresh off the back of their brilliant Champions League victory in midweek, Tuchel made nine changes for the visit of Sheffield United, with Mateo Kovacic and Kurt Zouma the only players keeping their place in the line-up.
Mount, who was suspended for the 2-0 victory over Atletico Madrid, was among those starting for the Blues and was named captain despite being the fourth-youngest player in Tuchel's side.
However, the Chelsea boss insisted that age had nothing to do with his decision to pick the 22-year-old as captain and explained why he already has the leadership qualities.
Tuchel told BBC One prior to kick-off: “Our captains are not on the pitch, obviously, Azpi, Jorginho, Thiago Silva, N’Golo, so Mason was already captain in one of the FA Cup rounds, so we’ve kept the momentum going for him.
"He deserves it, leadership isn’t a question of age and he has everything you need to lead the team out here in this game. I’m happy for him and I’m sure he’ll show up.”
It is the second time Mount has captained Chelsea having done so in the round four win over Luton Town.
Mount has been instrumental in Tuchel's start to life at Stamford Bridge, despite there being some doubts about how the German would take to the midfielder.
The England international was left on the bench for the manager's first game against Wolves, raising some questions over his role in the squad.
However, since being left on the bench, Mount has started nine out of the 13 games so far.
